Changing Behavior of SME Entrepreneurship in Last Twenty Five Years in Durgapur Asansol Industrial Area

Abstract

Durgapur Steel city known as Ruhr of India was born in 1951 establishing Durgapur Steel Plant, Damodar Valley Corporation and other fifteen large and medium scale industries. SME sector has started their journey in 1971 as small engineering units to cater big units, Like Mining Allied and Machinery Corporation and ABV ltd. There was no adequate infrastructure or proper support from the govt. agencies In 1980 Durgapur Steel Plant came forward to make some ancillary units for their inputs main products were Foundry Chemicals ,safety goods, engineering items, so far they have give ancillary status to only 35 units, though there are 25 large scale and 100 medium scale units but the nos.of Small units did not increase in that extent. In 1990 few Small units started with diversified products like ferroalloys, pharmaceutical, Paint& Chemicals, Paper and Plastic etc. Life span of the most of the units are 12-15 years due to various reason like inadequate finance, lack of professionalism, delayed payment and subsequent order from large units. SME's are not able to leverage technology as much as they should, to face the challenge of global competition .The proportion of nos. of new units coming and nos. close unit in a year almost same. So the growth of SME sector by investment, employment, sales, export, production and number of units not as expected or should be. If the large scale units come up to form more ancillary and other stake holders and govt. agencies join together about 1000 SME may set up their units and will cater to the large scale units and local market. An engineering or refractory-ceramics cluster can be form to bring new technology, better products and better service. Time has come to think for the growth of SME sector, through cluster, ancillary, and with modern technology other wise this sector will be stagnant This study paper has tried to find some sustainable way for the growth of SME sector like improve the operational efficiency, better marketing knowledge, managerial input, restructuring the ownership pattern, soft and hard intervention from the other stake holders, financial institute and training for entrepreneurs etc.